Signs & Symptoms

Anxiety can affect someone’s way of thinking, feeling, behaviour and physical wellbeing. Normal anxiety tends to be limited in time and connected with some stressful situation or event, such as a job interview. The type of anxiety experienced by people with an anxiety condition is more frequent or persistent and it is not always connected to an obvious challenge. While each anxiety condition has its own unique features, there are various symptoms which are common.

The Symptoms

Physical

Pounding heart, chest pain, blushing, rapid and shallow breathing, dizziness, headache, sweating, tingling and numbness, choking, dry mouth, stomach pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, aches and pains, restlessness, tremors and shaking.

Behavioural

Avoidance of situations, obsessive or compulsive behaviour, distress in social situations, sleep disturbance, increased use of alcohol or other drugs.

Thinking

Mind racing or going blank, decreased concentration and memory, indecisiveness, confusion, excessive worry and vivid dreams.

Feeling

Unrealistic or excessive fear and worry (about past and future events), irritability, impatience, anger, feeling on edge, nervousness.